EDAPHOSDynamics of a Natural Soil System

by Paul D. Sachs

EDAPHlC

~THE EDAPHIC PRESSP.O. Box 107Newbury, Vennont 05051

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced ortransmitted in any form or by any means, without writtenpermission from the author. except when brief quotations areused in critical articles or reviews.

Copyright c 1993 by Paul D. Sachs

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 93-70568

ISBN 0-9636053-0-5

EDITOR'S NafE

As I read through Paul's manusaipt for the fust time, I wasstruck by the sincerity of his voice and by his genuineconcem for ourworld. After my second reading however. I was struck moreforcefully by the relevance of the infonnation he was giving to myown life and the world around me.

Edaphos helped me to realize, not only the need for a life-styleand attitude change toward the physical world. but it also helped meto understand why this need exists and how to go about making someof these changes.

Paul's simplification of chemistry and language helps thelayperson to understand a subjeclthat is, all too often, kept out ofreach from him. The analogies that are drawn between humansystems and relationships and those of the soil bring the soil to life...a characteristic which can not help but increase one's reverence forthe earth we live with.

Sadly enough, Edaphos also helped me to realize that the soil,like the human, is mortal too. And if we do not take ownership forthe practices we have concerning it, we will lose it.

It-is refreshing to find that in a time when most want to take,take. take; and a time when we look for instant gratification and thaiquick fix, Edaphos offers a reasonable plan to give back some of whalwe have taken. Paul gives his reader valuable information not justspecific to gardening. but to living life in general.

In Edaphos, Paul reinforces what the late Fred Franklin once

advised my husband; Weshould live each day of our lives as ifit were

the last and use our soil as if we were going to live forever.

Wendy Goldsworthy

CONTENTS"

INTRODUCTION

PART 1 -IN PRINCIPLE

CHAPTER 1

SOIL EVOLUTION

CHAPTER 2

HUMUS: A STABLEORGANIC MATTER

CHAPTER 3

WATER

CHAPTER 4

THE CONCEPT OF PESTS

PART11- IN PRACTICE

CHAPTER 5

COMPOSTING & PRESERVINGORGANIC MATTER

CllAl'TER6

ORGANIC vs INORGANIC

CHAPTER 7

TESTING THE SOIL SYSTEM

CHAPTER 8

RELATIONSHIPS

GLOSSARY

INDEX

rc~" t'!!:!

1"

~:I.'~

-'

-,

~-

)., ,," - J.1ii!1if1ii ;

- . ... "\~~ p

,,,, ,

1

ABOUT THE AUTHORIn 1983, when PauIfounded North Country Organics' , he de<

it was important to learn something about the soil if he was goiseIl natural fertilizers. However, as time went on, the obje

changed from an obligatory curiosity to_a quest of passion. Ainformation accumulated, Paul began to see metaphoric similabetween the soil system and all other terrestrial dynamics incllthe social and economic structures established by human civilizaHe decided that many analogies from the soil such as competi

growth, adaptation and symbiosis could be applied to all of Irelationships, including running a successful business.

After only two years of study. Paul became known as a sourgood information for people involved in organic crop producti,land care. Requests for articles and seminar appearances beg'increase. As time passed. his knowledge about natural soil sys

began to encumber his work (i.e. seIling natural land care sUPIbecause so much time was being spent on consultation. In 1991,

began work on EDAPHOS to help diffuse the tremendous anof valuable information out to the people who need it the most.work represents almost ten years of his research on the subject 0system dynamics..North Country Organics is a Bradford. VT based supplier o£ nabJral £""

and soil amendmenlS £oc,commercial use.

7

33

53

65

85

107

139

169

173181

~e of - 6). JI

Organic Matter on Erosion ~

!1.3~ -~I.I

~H r~60:0.3 (oC

I 23 4

% Organic UaRef' in Sod

WATERCYCLE Effects of pH on Soil Life

"p'.J.j1'''''11941

IEI6.!!IEI4

~IEI2go'E'O

IE8IE6

s 6

pH

CONTROLLING SOIL MOISTURE- Figur#4-2IVc.tbmQII 19J6

8

INFLUENCE OF PLANT ROOTON BACTERIA POPULATIONS

. ..-p9

IEII~EIO.31E9':.1E8.""1E7

IE6

Fi,~r~ .1./RahIM" 19.16

Synthetic Pesticide Production~" From1945to1985 .~'I-lI,600,fXXJ,fXXJ=~;:~=:Slral945 ~ MINERALCOMPONF~TS

1,400,fXXJ,fXXJ-liing. N_pafOduartO 8 Elements Comprise 98% or All Soli Mmeral..I,200,fXXJ,fXXJa lOO mcnbxic.

~1,fXXJ,fXXJ,fXXJ

&8OO,fXXJ.fXXJ~ 6OO,fXXJ,fXXJ

400,fXXJ,fXXJ

2OO,fXXJ,fXXJ

o

Sodium (2.8%)

Iron (5.0%)Potassium(2.6%)

Oxygen (46.5%)Flg"re".jE Magazine}.2192

1945 1955 1965 1975 19851950 1960 1970 1980

Year

Silicon (27.6%)

, Calcium (3.6%)

Magnesium (2.0%). Aluminum (8.0%)

@}) on

Influence ofSoil TemperatureHumus Accumulation Influence of Mulch

on Soil Temperature./ ~

Influence of Temperatureon Soil Organic Matter Content

jj10

~..:;-115.. .

E!'o.,.0

32 40 5060 70

MeanAnnualTemperature

High

Figtlrt!j.6.~'iSAl 19

Location

Fit"" $-4Wci.brtdA /9J6

.. .. i64Average Soli Temperature (F)

ill

FIgure 5.5Jenny 19-11

... .!<'CIi:lil:l iI~..

table5-'

WASTE C:NRATJO.

('...00'- 9-'5" t,."L (~nJ 3()50:'

6

1

1~ ...

l~ ~i~

Wood rid sawdust 30(). 700: I

PIIpw 1!t().'(X):1

..Bail 116-1285:1

Sir... 48.150:1~ I:

,.

.~ ~ .;.:Cow- fNIrV8 11-30: I

.bse" 22.50: 1

HenfT\8nu". 3-10:1

Sheepmat"U. 13-20:1

I I

:.1

i¥I

Ii

1

.3 1j i.l :; J f:iiiil'; ll ;

1

1::lo1::t J. :! =

.GANIC VS INORGAN..IC .~ Ir

INFLUENCE OF INORGANIC NON NATURALN SYSTEMS

(ALFALFA PLAN!S)

HIGH

LOW

N FIXEDFROMATMOSPHERE

N LIBERATEDFROM

ORGANICMAneR

fig... 6.3lI'oI_19J6

o 32 64 96 144 192

LBSINORANIC NtA ADDED TO SOIL

table 6-2 -------INGREDIENT C:N RATIO

' 1 --.Blood meal I4: I

Fealher meal 4:1

Leather meal

I

4: I

VegetableProtein meal 7.8: I

Animal tankage

1

3-5: I

Dried whey 7: I

Urc:a I0.4:I

Cow manure

1

11-30:I

Horse manure 22-50:I

Hen manure I 3-10: I

Sheep manure 113-20: I

HI"'" 7.)B,utI,IVU

CI)Z.......O~NO!->-O:c0-,:I:--,0-CI)0....CI)

UNWEAJHERED ROCK'

TIME

- SOIL DEVELOPMENT

CLAY PARTICLES', MICELLES

Negatively charged clay particlesshown with typical plate-like

appearance and swarm of adsorbed cationsfi '1.t

lWU

...

NITROGEN CYCLE

Figure6-4Vil/ee1962

~SAMPLEA&L

SOIL ANALYSIS REPORT

Figure7.2 is a sampleanalysisfromA & L EasternAgJiculturaiLabcraroriesin Richmond.VA %OM.percentorganicmatter.ENR. EstimatedNitrogenReleasein poundsperacrelooa).Pt .AvailablePhosphorusin partspermiUionloom).P2 - re-servephosphorusinppm,K -PotassiumiI ppm.Mg- "Magnesiuminppm.Ca. Calciuminppm.SoilpH.WalerpH test.8iJtferpH .pHsmp,CEe. CationExchangeCapacity.

~OIL COMPONENTSTypical analysis of a well developed loam

Figure7-4

~

Organic Matter5% -- Orgunic CClIIHid

ItX-" 1~\10..1_1'1)1.

Minerai45% C U"I

EC

ORGANIC COLLOID 4.0 s.o 6.0pI!

7.0 8.0

F 1.'.

%OM ENR PI P2 K Mg Co SOIL pH BUFFERpH CEC "I. BASE SATURATIONK Mg Co H

4.5 ID4VH 83VH 121VH 139VH187VH 640M 6.0 6.8 6.2 5.7 25.0 51.3 3.1

7.3 171VH 1000H160VH600VH210VH 2800H 6.3 6.7 19.3 8.0 9.1 72.510.!

--TESTINGTHESOIL SYSTEMS.-!5'1)

~-- -'15'/......

"";I:lllt7-A

Ca++ K~ NH

.. Mg++ H~K~~Ca~+

M ++'g K~ Mg++

K~ H~ K+~a++

K~CaH

K~

Ca~~ NH4

CATION EXCHANGE

f~4.~.EDAPHOS

A LIST OF SOME SOIL TESTING LABORATORIES

A & L Agri. Labs. of Mcmphis 411 North 3rd SI.Memphis, TN 38105-2723 901/527-2780

A & L Eastern Agricullural Labs 7621 Whitepine Rd.Richmond, VA 23237-2296 8041743-940 I

A & L Great Lakes Labs, Inc. 3505 Conestoga Drive

Fort Wayne, IN 46808-4414 219/483-4759

A &.L Mid West Labs., Inc. 13611 "B" SI.Omaha, NE 68144-3693 402/334-7770

A & L Plains Agric. Labs, Inc. PO Box 1590.302 34th SI.Lubbock, TX 79408-1590 806/763-4278

A & L Southern AgrLLabs., Inc. 1301 W. Copaus Rd.,Bldg. D. 1/8Pompano Beach, FL 33064 305/972-3255

A & L West. Agricultural Labs IOtO Carver Rd.

Modesto, CA 95350.4732 209/529-4080

Agri. Labs Inc. 204 East PlymouthBremeu, IN 46506

Agrico-Chemical Co. PO Drawer 639Washington Court Bouse, OB 43160

Agricultural Testing L:lb. Hills Building, UVMBurlington, VT 05405 802/656-3030

Analytical Services Laboratory 8 Nesmith Hall, UNHDurham, Nil 031124

Brookside Rescarch Labs. 308 South Main SI.New Kno>:ville, OB 45871

}

Tab/.'-!

..,....

\Ii.J~

[~_.

TEXTUREANALYSISCHART

70 60 50 40 30

PERCENT SAND

l TESTING THE SOIL SYSTEMSaCal Mar Soil Testing l30 South State SI.Westerville, OB 43081

Cooperative Exl. Publications University of IllinoisUrbana,IL611101

Cooperativc Extension Scrvice 2120 University Ave.'. Bcrkcley, CA 94720

Farm Clinic 923 Robinson SI., PO Box 3011West Lafayette, IN 47906

Freedom Soil Lab PO Box 1144GFreedom, CA 95019 4081724-4427

Geoph}1a 2685 County Rd 254Vickcry, OH 43464

Harris Laboratories, Inc. PO Box 80R37, 624 Peach St.Lincoln. NE 68501

Indiana Frm Bureau Central Lab. 2435 Kentucky Avc.Indianapolis, IN 46204

Iowa Testing Laboratory Highway 17 North. Box 188Eagle Grove, IA 50533

LaRamic Soils Scrvicc PO Box 255Laramic. WY 82070

Mcrkle Laboratory Pcnnsylvania Stalc UniversityUnivcrsity Park, PA 16802

,

Missouri Western State Collcge MEY STL.,ET 114,4525Downs Dr SI. Joseph, MO 64507

Na-CllUrs 421 Leader StreetMarion, OH 43302

!'crry Laboratory 471 AiII'Ullllh'd.

Watsonville, CA 95076 408/722.7606

Pike Lab Supplies RR 112,Box 92Strong, ME 04983 207/684-5131

Plant and Soil Analysis Lab. Agronomy Dcpl., Purduc tW. Lafayelle, IN 47907

Rcscarch-Ext. Analytical Lab. Ohio Agricultnral R & DWooster, OH 44691

Rutgers' Soil Testing Laboratory Cook College, Rutger!New Brunswick, NJ 08903

Soil & Plant Laboratory, Inc. PO Box 153

Santa Clara, CA 95052-0153 408/727-0330

Soil Test. Lab.lDepl. of Agron. Bradfield & Emerson/-'

Ithaca, NY 14853

Soil Testing Laboratory Uni\'ersity of Connccticnt

Storrs, CT 06268

Soil Testing Laboratory University of Mainc

Orono. ME 04473

Soil Testing Laboratory Clcmson University,

Clemson, SC 29631

Soil Tcsting Laboratory Univcrsity of Gcorgia

Athens, GA 30602

Soil Testing Labomtory Univcrsity of MassachuscttsAmherst. MA 01002

Soil Tcsting Laboralol)' 210B Woodward Hall, URIKingston, RI 02881

Soil Testing Laboratory Michigan State University

East Lansing. MI .IKlln

'abl.'.J

EUMENTorCOMPOUND ATOMIC WEIGIIT VALENCE EQUIVALENCE" Hy<ngon I I I

Magnesium 24 . 2 12

Calcium .0 2 20

POWSRun ,. I ,.- 18 I 18

A LIST OF SOME SOIL TESTING LABORATORIESare cations, butlabs do not report results in relation to CEC. The levelsof micronutrients needed in the soil are so small that virtually any CECwill hold what is necessary. A & L Agri. Labs of Memphis

411 North3rd St.Memphis,TN38105-2723901/527-2780

Great care should be taken when correcting micronutrientdeficiencies. There is a very fine line between too little and too much.The lab doing the testing can make recommendations, but itsrecommendations areonly as goodas the sample taken. Micronutrienttests are easily adulterated by rusty or corroded tools. Because of thehigh zinc content, galvanized toolsor containers should neverbe used,regardless of their condition.

A & L Eastern Agricultural Labs7621 WhitepineRd.Richmond,VA23237-2296804n43-9401

SUMMARY A & L Great Lakes Labs, Inc.

3505 Conestoga DriveFort Wayne, IN 46808-4414219/483-4759

Recommendations from most labs for pounds of nutrient per acreor per thousand square feet only apply to plant needs, and can proveto be useless or even injurious to the other organisms in the soil.However, if nutrients are added with consideration of the entire soil

system, then the whole solar-powered, biological crop growing machinecan benefit.

A & L Mid West Labs., Inc.13611 "B" St.

Omaha,NE68144-3693402/334-7770

It is usually not necessary to fine-tune the soil. It does not respondlike a high performance engine, where subtle adjustments can tweakout another two to three more horsepower. Remember, the results ofa soil test are an average ofthe area being evaluated. If inputs containthe raw materials needed for natural soil system mechanisms, then thesystem will function correctly.

A & L Plains Agric. Labs, Inc.PO Box 1590, 302 34th St.Lubbock,1J{79408-1590806n63-4278

IMPORTANT POINTS TOREMEMBER:A & L Southern Agri.Labs., Inc.1301 W. CopansRd., Bldg. D. #8

Pompano Beach, FL 33064305/972-3255Obtain good samples-a lab analysis is useless if poor sampling

procedures are used;

Choose a lab that gives the type of information needed on a timelybasis; and

Considerthe needsof the soil as wellas thoseofthe plants.

A & L West. Agricultural Labs1010 Carver Rd.

Modesto, CA 95350-4732209/529-4080

Agri. Labs Inc.204East PlymouthBremen,IN46506

Agrico-Chemical Co.PODrawer639

Washington CourtHse, OH 43160

University ofVermontAgricultural Testing Lab.HillsBuilding,UVMBurlington,vr 05405802/656-3030

University ofNHAnalytical Services Laboratory8Nesmith Hall,UNHDurham,NH03824

Brookside Research Labs.308 South Main St.New Knoxville, OH 45871

Cal Mar Soil Testing130 South State St.

Westerville, OH 43081

University ofIllinoisCooperative Ext. PublicationsUrbana,IL61801

Cooperative Extension Service2120 University Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94720

Farm Clinic923 Robinson St., PO Box 30 11

West Lafayette, IN 47906

Freedom Soil LabPOBox1144G

Freedom, CA 950 19

'it~;.~~...vA~.(w:~t.v;~':;;'~...~;~~~";"",;~',;~

't!

l::~~!:':,::II_lml::'::::::::.:::':::::::::!:::::::::~.'::::::::!':..!!:i:::::j.:::::.j;..::::::.j:.:.':':,' ~!:::::::::~!:.~::::!::::!::.::::.:::::::!,:::::::::::,:lllgII_1!llm,:If.J,I$.;::t::J.:iIJ

: ~, A LIST OF SOME SOn. TESTING LABORATORIESi!

are cations, but labs do not report results in relation to CEC. The levelsof micronutrients needed in the soil are so small that virtually any CECwill hold what is necessary, A & L Agri. Labs of Memphis

411 North 3rd St.Memphis,TN 38105-2723901/527-2780

I:I,I.-t ~1

II' Great care should be taken when correcting micronutrientdeficiencies. There is a very fine line between too little and too much.The lab doing the testing can make recommendations, but itsrecommendations are only as goodas the sample taken. Micronutrienttests are easily adulterated by rusty or corroded tools. Because of thehigh zinc content, galvanized toolsor containers should never be used,regardless of their condition.

A & L Eastern Agricultural Labs7621 WhitepineRd.Riclunond, VA 23237-2296804n43-9401

:"i

i:

;'1:A & L Great Lakes Labs, Inc.

3505 Conestoga DriveFort Wayne, IN 46808-4414219/483-4759

"\,~:i

SUMMARY

Recommendations from most labs for pounds of nutrient per acreor per thousand square feet only apply to plant needs, and can proveto be useless or even injurious to the other organisms in the soil.However, if nutrients are added with consideration of the entire soilsystem,then thewholesolar-powered,biologicalcropgrowingmachinecan benefit.

A & L Mid West Labs., Inc.13611 "B" St.

Omaha,NE68144-3693402/334-7770

It is usually not necessary to fine-tune the soil. It does not respondlike a high performance engine, where subtle adjustments can tweakout another two to three more horsepower. Remember, the results ofa soil test are an average of the area being evaluated. If inputs containthe raw materials needed for natural soil system mechanisms, then thesystem will function correctly.

A & L Plains Agric. Labs, Inc.PO Box 1590, 302 34th S1.Lubbock, TX79408-1590806n63-4278~,

}\

II

1"1~

IMPORTANT POINTS TOREMEMBER:A & L Southern Agri.Labs., Inc.1301 W. CopansRd., Bldg.D. #8

Pompano Beach, FL 33064305/972-3255Obtain good samples-a lab analysis is useless if poor sampling

procedures are used;

Choose a lab that gives the type of information needed on a timelybasis; and

Considerthe needsof the soil as wellas thoseof the plants.

A & L West. Agricultural Labs1010Carver Rd.

Modesto, CA 95350-4732209/529-4080

AgrL Labs Inc.204 East PlymouthBremen, IN 46506

Agrico-Chemical Co.PO Drawer639

WashingtonCourtHse,OH43160

University of VermontAgricultural Testing Lab.Hills Building, UVMBurlington, VT05405802/656-3030 '

University ofNHAnalytical Services Laboratory8Nesmith Hall,UNHDurham,NH03824

Brookside Research Labs.308 South Main St.New Knoxville, OH 45871

Cal Mar Soil Testing130 South State St.

Westerville, OH 43081

University of Illinois

Cooperative Ext. PublicationsUrbana, IL 6180 1

Cooperative Extension Service2120 University Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94720

Farm Clinic923 RobinsonSt., POBox3011West Lafayette, IN47906

Freedom Soil LabPOBox 1144G

Freedom, CA 95019

4081724-4427Geophyta2685 CountyRd 254Vickery,OH43464

Harris Laboratories, Inc.POBox 80837, 624PeachSt.Lincoln,NE6850 I

IndianaFnnBureau Central Lab.2435 Kentucky Ave.Indianapolis, IN46204

Iowa Testing Laboratory Hwy17North, Box 188Eagle Grove,IA 50533

LaRamie Soils ServicePOBox 255

Laramie, WY82070

Pennsylvania State UniversityMerkle LaboratoryUniversityPark,PA 16802

Missouri Western State CollegeMEYSTL.,Ef1144525DownsDr.St. Joseph, MO 64507

Na-Churs421 Leader StreetMarion,OH43302

Perry Laboratory471 Airport Blvd.Watsonville, CA 950764081722-7606

Pike Lab SuppliesRR#2,Box 92Strong,lvfE04983207/684-5131

University of GeorgiaSoil Testing LaboratoryAthens, GA30602

University of MassachusettsSoil Testing LaboratoryAmherst, MA0I002

Purdue UniversityPlant and Soil Analysis Lab.Agronomy Dept.,W. Lafayette, IN 47907 URI Soil Testing Laboratory

210B Woodward Hall, URIKingston, RI 02881Ohio AgriculturalR&D Center

Research-Ext. Analytical Lab.Wooster, OH44691 Michigan State University

Soil Testing LaboratoryEast Lansing, MI 48823Rutgers' Soil Testing Laboratory

Cook College, Rutgers Univ.New Brunswick, NJ 08903 North Carolina State University

Soil Testing LaboratoryRaleigh,NC27695Soil & Plant Laboratory, Inc.

POBox 153

Santa Clara, CA 95052-0 1534081727-0330

Texas A & M UniversitySoil Testing LaboratoryCollege Station,TX77843

Soil Test. Lab./Dept. of Agron.Bradfield & Emerson HallsIthaca, NY 14853

Terra Analytical Services2622 Baty RoadElida,OH45807

University of ConnecticutSoil Testing LaboratoryStdrrs,CT06268

WDHIC Soil & Forage Center106 North Cecil Street

Bonduel, WI 54107

University of MaineSoil Testing LaboratoryOrono,lvfE04473

\

Clemson University,Soil Testing LaboratoryClemson, SC 2 9631

Sources:

Albrecht, W.A. 1938. Loss of organic matter and its restoration, u.s.Dept. ofAgriculture Yearbook 1938,pp347-376.

Arshad,M.A. andCoen, G.M.1992. Characterizationofsoilquality:physical and chemical criteria, American Journal of AlternativeAgriculture v7 #1 and 2, 1992 pp25-31, Institute for AlternativeAgriculture, Greenbelt, IvID.

Brady, N.C. 1974. The Nature and Properties of Soils, MacMillanPublishing Co., Inc., New York.

Chapter 8

RELATIONSHIPSChu, P. 1993. Personal communication, A&L Eastern AgriculturalLaboratories, Richmond, VA.

Ehrlich, PR and Ehrlich, A.H. 1990.ThePopulationExplosion,Simonand Schuster. New York.

Gershuny, G. and Smillie, J. 1986. The Soul of Soil: (2nd Ed.), GaiaServices, St. Johnsbury, VT. Love is an emotion; a feeling of endearment. It is a feeling, which

is slightly different for everyone. Like love, all ofthe other feelings wehave in our relationships with others are hard to explain. Sometimes

they are good and sometimes they are not, but we must accept them,without completely understanding them. As we grow, we learn to adaptour feelings to the many different relationships that we encounter ,justas the soil relates to the different edaphic factors it encounters.

Jenny,H.1941. Factors of Soil Formation, McGraw-HiliBookCo., NewYolk.

NRAES, 1992. On Farm Composting Handbook, Northeast RegionalEngineering Service#54, CooperativeExtension, Ithaca, NY.

Parnes, R. Fertile Soil: A Grower's Guide to Organic & InorganicFertilizers, Ag Access, Davis, CA.

All of our feelings are derived from instincts that have evolved froma basic need to survive. These instincts are like patterns that emanate

throughout the biological and physical components oftheplanet. Thehundreds of similarities between human relationships and those in thesoil are not coincidences. The most basic and driving forces in our livesare for sustenance and to reproduce. Those same instincts control all

the biological functions in the soil.

Seyer, E. 1992. Sustaining a Vermont Way of Life: Research andEducation in Sustainable Agriculture, University of Vermont,Burlington,VT.

White, W.C. and Collins, D.N . (Editors) 1982. The Fertilizer Handbook,

The Fertilizer Institute, Washington, DC.Just like cations and anions, we have stronger attractions to some

relationships than we do for others. Sometimes our polarity for oneanother is so opposite (or alike), that we instinctively know the chanceof a good relationship is remote at best.

HUMUS..LSource.~:

Albrech', W.A. 1938, L.ossof Organic mailer and its resloralion.U.S. Dep.. of Agriculture Yearbook 1938, pp347-376

Ar.;had, M.A. and Cocn, G.M. 1992, Characleri7.a!ion of soil

quality: Physical and dlemical critcria. American Joul1lal ofAlternative Agriculture \"7 #1 and 2. 1992 pp 25-31. In.~tilute forAlternalive Agricullure, Greenbell, MD

ASA# 47. 1979, Microbial - Plantlnleractions. Ameril'an SocielYof Agronomy. Madison, WI

Bear, F.E. 1924, Soils and Fertili7.crs. John Wiley and Stms, Inc.New York, NY

Brady, N.C. 1974, The Natureaod Properties of soils. MacMillanPublishing Co. Inc. New York, NY

Bmwn. B. and Morgan, L. 1990. The Miracle Planet. W. H. SmithPublishers, Inc. Ne\v York, NY

Buchanan, M. and S.R. Glicssman 1991, How Compos. Fertili7.a-tion Affects Soil Nitrogen and Crop Yield. Biocycle, Dec. 1991.J.G. Pre.~ Emmaus, PA

Gcrshuny. G. and Smillie, J. 1986, TIle Soul of Stlil:'3rd Edition.Ag Access. Davis, CA

Hillel, D.J., 1991, OUIof the Earth: Civili7.ation and the Life of IhcSoil. The Free Prcss. New York, NY

Holland. E.A. and Coleman, D.C. 1987. Litll..-Placemenl Effects

on Microbial and Organic Maller Dynamics in an Agroecosystem.Ecology v68 (2). 1987: 425-433

Huang, P.M. and M. Sdmit7.cr 1986, InteraClinns of Stlil Mineralswilh Natural Organil'.~ and Microbes. Soil Sdenl'e StlCiety ofAmerica. Inc. Madison. WI

Jenny, H. 1941, Faclors of St.iI Formalioo. McGraw - Hill BookCo. New York, NY

Luca.~. R. E. and Vil(~~h. M. L.. 1978, Soil Organic Maller Dynamics.

Michigan S'ate Univ. Research Report 32.91, Nov 1978. East

.- h -.--.....-...----..-..--....-----.

L.ansing, MI

M~lkarov, I.B. 1986, Se'L~onalDynamk,; of Soill/umus Content.Moscow Univcrsily Stlil Science Bulletin, v41 #3: 19-26

Nosko, B.S. 1987, Change in the Humus for a Typical Olel1l07.cmcaused by fcrtili?Jllion. Soviel Snil Science, 1987 vl9 July/AuguSI1167-74

Novak, B. 1984, 'n,e Role of Soil Organisms in Humus Synlhcsisand Decomposilion. Soil Biology and Conservalion of Ihe Bio-sphere. PI' 319-.H2

Pal1leS, R. Fcrtile Soil: A growers Guide 10 Organic & InorganicFC/1i1i7.crs. Ag ACl'ess, Davis, CA

Powlson, D.S. and Bnle.ks, P.C., ICJ87, Me'L~ul"CmL'f11of StlilMicl"llbiailliomass Prnvides an Early lodication Of CI"'ngl'.~in TotulSoil Organic Mallerdue loSlraw Incorporalion. St.iI BioI. Biochem.ICJ87vl9 (2): 159-IM.

Sugan, D. and Mm'golis, !... 1988, Gurden nf Micrubiul delights: APr-dclicleGuide 10theSubvi~able World. Harcourt GraL'CJovanovich ,Publishers. Bost,m, MA

Senn, T.!... und Kingman, A.R. 1973, A Review of Humus andHumisAcid~. Clemson Univ. Research Scrics#145, March 1,1973.Clemson. SC

Silkina, N.P. 1987, Effecls of High Nilrogen Fertili7.er Concentra-tions on Transformation of Soil Organic Maller. Universily ofMoscnw Soil Sciell<'CBullelin ICJ87,v42 (4): 41-41i.

1"- Singh, c.P. 1987, Preparation of High Grade ComfKlst by anEnrichment Tedmique. I. Effect of Enrichment on Organic Ma'erDL'('omllelSilinn. [liological Agrkulture mKIHor1icullurc 19117,vol5 PI' 41-4CJ

Smith, G.E. 1942, SanIK'11IField: Fifty Years of Fio!ldExperimenlswilh Crol' I~nlalinns, Manurc.~ and Fe'1ili?.crs. lI,Ii\"L'I'SilyofMissouri Bulletiu #458. Columbia, MO

SSSA# 19. 1987, Soil Fcrtility and Organic MaIlL'!'a.~ CrilicalCornfKl/lenls of P duclion Systems. St.iI Science StlCiety of

.--------..

H.~~l'\o1lJS' 51 1

America. Inc. Madison, WI

Siork, N.E. and Egglelon, P. 1992, InvL'f1ebratcsas detelminantsand indicalors of soil quality. American Journal of Allel11aliveAgriculture v7 #1 and 2, 1992 pp 38-47. Inslitu.e for Allernalj)'eAgricullure, Greenbelt, MD

Vccn. A. van and Kuikman. PJ. 1990. Soil s'l1Jclural a.~pcl'ISofdccomfK'Silion of organic mailer by micm-organisms. BiogL'OChem-iSlry, Dec. 1990. vi 1 (3): 213-233

Villcc, C.A. 1962. Biology. W. B. Saunders Company. Philadel-phia, PA

Visser, S. and Parkinson, D. 1992, soil biological criteria asindicators of soil quality: Soil mimlOrganisms. American Journalof Allcrnalive Agricullure v7 #1 and 2, 1992 PI' 33-37. Inslilute forAllernalive Agriculture, Grccnbell, MD

Wallace, A., Wallace, G.A. and Jong. W.C. 1990. Soil OrganicMuller and Ihe Global Carbon Cycle. Journal of Planl Nutrilion1990 vl3 (3/4): 459.456

Waksman. S.A. 193/i, Humus. William.~and Wilkins, Inc. Balli-more, MD

Waksman. S.A. and Woodruff, RB., The occurrence of bacterio-

stalic and baclericidal substances in the soil. Soil Science v53 pp223-239.

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Bear, F.E. 1924, Soils and Fertilizers. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.New York, NY

Brady. N.C. 1974, The Nature and Properties of soils. MacMillanPublishing Co. Inc. New York, NY

Huang, P.M. and M. Schnitzer 1986, Interactions of Soil Mineralswith Natural Organics and Microbes. Soil Science Society ofAmerica, Ine. Madison, WI

Jenny, H. 1941, Factors of Soil Formation. McGraw - Hill BookCO. New York, NY

Ray, P.M. 1972, The Living Plant. Holt, Rinehart and Winston,Inc. N.Y., NY

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Barbosa, P. and Letourneau, D.K. (Editors) 1988. Novel AspeClsofIns.'Ct -Planllnteraclions. John Wiley & Sons. New York, NY

Barbosa, P., Krischik, V.A. and Jones. C.G. (Edil(»'S) IWI.

Microbial Mediation of Plant -Herbivore Inleractions. John Wiley& Sons, Inc. New York, NY

Bnldy, N.C. 1974, The Nalure and Prope'1ies of soils. MacMillan

Publishing Co. Inc. New York, NY

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Davidson, R.H. and Lyon, W.F. 1987,InsectPeslsofFann, Gardenand Orchard: Eighth Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York,NY

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Consequences of the Dissappearance of Sp''Cies. Random House,Inc. New York, NY

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Fowler, C. and Mooney, P. 1990, Shallering: Food, Politics, andthe loss of Genelic Diversity. TIle University of Arizona Press.Tucson, AR

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(Sl" EDAPHOS

Heinridls, E.A. (Editor) 1988, Planl Siress-Insecl Interactions.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New Yqrk, NY

Hillel, D.1., 1991, Out of the Earth: Civilization and the Life of theSoil. The Free Press. New York, NY

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caterpillar and codling moth. Can. Entomo!. 99: 444-446

Parnes, R. Fertile Soil: A growers Guide 10 OrglK.ic & InorganicFertilizers. Ag Access, Davis, CA

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Sons, Inc. New York. NY

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Department of Honiculture, Clemson Universily. Clemson, SC

Seyer, E. 1992, Suslaining a Vermont Way of Life: Research andeducation in Sustainable Agriculture. University of Vennont.

Burlington, VT

Smith, C.M. 1989, Plant Resistance 10 Insects, A fundamental

Approach. John Wiley & Son, Inc. New York, NY

Talbot, M. 1992 Personal Communicalion. Dorchester, MA

Walters, C.Jr. 1991, Weeds: Control Without Poisons. AcresUSA.Kansas City, MO

Waksman, S.A. 1936, Humus. WillillRls IIlIdWilkins, 111<'.Balti-more, MD

Ziv, O. IIndZiller, T.A. 1991, Effecls of Bicarbonale alld CoatingMalerials 011Cu<.-urbitFoliar Diseascs. Proceedings of Ihe 53rd

Annual Pest Managemenl Conference, Nov. 11-14, 1991. Dept. of

Plant Palhology, Cornell Univ. Ithica, NY

INFORMATION ON COMPOSTING /(J!f COMPOSTING & PRESERVING OM .~10£

II is import ani 10undcrstand tlUIIpmficiency in wmposting is likeleaming 10 lie onc's shoes; confusion and hick o[ confidence will

cxist thJji*;i1 fcw lim<:sil is done. TIlink small 01firsl. If one candevelop~ technique I,i heal up a bushel of waSle, il can used on athnusllnd cubic yards.

This chapler provides only an overview of composl ing. II/IIaynolcontain some of Ihe delails needed 10eom(><~~torg:lflic wasles on a(argCl' scale. To invesligate the subj~'C1in more detail, a list ofIIppropriale books is provided:

Sources:

Albrechl, W.A. 1938, Loss of Organic mailer and ils restoration.U.S. Dept. of Agricullure Yearbook 1938, 1'1'347.376

BioCycie Staff (edilors) 1989. TIle Biocycle Guide 10 Yard WasleComposting. JG Press. Inc. Emmaus. PA

BioCycie Siaff (edilors) 19<)0.TIle Biocycle Guide 10 Collecling.Processing and Marketing Recyclables: Including theSp<.'CialRe(><)l1on Muteriuls Recovery Fueilities. JG Press. Inc. Emmaus. PA

BioCyc1e Staff (editors) 19<)1,TIle A.1 and Science of Composling.JG Press. Inc. Emmaus. PA

Buchanan. M. and S.R. Gliessman 1991, How Compost Fertiliza-tion Affeels Soil Nilrogen and Crop Yield. Biocycle, Dec. 1991.J.G. Press Emmaus. PA

Golueke. C.G. 1972 Com(><Jsting:A Siudy of Ihe Process and itsP.-inciplc.~. Rodale Books. Inc. Emmuus, PA

Holland. E.A. and Coleman, D.C. 1987. Lillcr Placemenl Effeclson Microbial and Organic Maller Dynamics in an Agroccosyslem.Ecology v68 (2). 1987: 425-433

'

\' Lucas. R.E. und Vilosh. M.L. 1<)78,Soil Orgunic MallcrDynalllics.Michigan Siale Univ. Research Re(><)l132.91. Nov 1978. EastLansing, MI

YARD WASTE MANAGEMENT: A PLANNING GUIDE

FOR NEW YORK STATE. Prepared byT. Richard. N. Dickson andS. Rowland. Dept. of Agricullure und Biological Engineering.Comell Universily. Ithacu, NY 14853.5701. 163 PI'.

THE BlOCYCLE GUIDE TO YARD WASTE COMPOSTING

1989. TIle JG Press. Inc. Emmaus. PA 18098. 1971'1'

COMPOSTING: A STUDY OF HIE PIWCESS AND ITS

PRINCIPLES. C. G. Golueke. 1972. Rodale Books, Inc. EmmausPA 18049

TilE BlOCYCLE aUmE TO TIlE ART ANI> SCIENCE OF

COMPOSTING. 1991 TIle JG Press, Inc. Emmllus, PA 18098.2701'1'

LET IT ROT: THE GARDENERS GUIDE TO COMPOSTING.

S. Campbell. 1975. Garden Way Publishing. Storey communica-lions. Inc. Pownal. VT 05261. 152 PI'. Makarov. I.B. 1<)86.Seasonal Dynamics of Soil Humus Contenl. .

Moscow Universily Soil Science Bulletin. v41 #3: 19-26

Nosko. B.S. 1987, Change in Ihe Humus for a Typical ChClTlozemcaused by fertilization. Soviet Soil Science. 1987 vl9 July/Augusl1'67-74

Novak, B. 1984. TIle Role of Soil Organisms in Humus Synthesis

1"1 and Decomposition. Soil Biologyand Conservationof the Bio-1

1

' sphere. PI' 319-332" NRAES. 1<)<)2.On Falm Com(><JslingHandbook. N0I1hea.~1Re-

t gional Engin~~ring Service #54. C<KJpe,'ativeExlension. IIhica. NYPames. R. Fertile Soil: A growers Guidc to Organic & Inorganic

THE RODALE BOOK OF COMPOSTING. D. Martin and G.Gershuny 1992 Rodale Prc.~. Emmaus. PA 18049.

HOME COMPOSTING: A TRAINING GUIDE. N. Dickson.T. Richard. B. Kozlowski and R. Kline. 1990. NRAES. Riley RobbHall. Comel! University. Ithaca. NY 14853

ON-FARM COMPOSTING HANDBOOK. Nonheast RegionalAgricultural EngineeringScrvice 1992. NRAES. Riley Robb Hall.Cornell University. Ithaca. NY 14853. 1861'1' .

j.w.I_.EJ)A~ffOS

FCI1ilizers. Ag Access. Davis. CA

Pan'. J.F.. Papendick. R.I.. H"mick. S.U. IIndMeye.'. R.E. 1<)<)2.Soil Quality: Auribulcs and relationship 10alternative and sustain-able agriculture. American Joumal of Alternalive Agriculture v7 #1and2. 1992 pp5.10.1nstitulefor AlternaliveAgriculture. Greenbelt.MD

Richards. T.. Dickson. N. and Rowland. S. 1992 Yard WasteManagement: A planning Guide for New York Slate. Del'l. ofAgriculture and Geological Engineering. C<JmeliUniversity. tlhaca.NY

Seyer. E. 1992. Sustaining a Vermont Way of Life: Research andeducation in Sustainable Agriculture. University of VCrtTlont.Burlington. VT

Silkina. N. P. 1987. Effects of High Nilrogen FCI1i1izerConcentra-tions on Transformation of Soil Organic MaUer. University ofMosoow Soil Science Bulletin 1987. v42 (4): 41.46.

Singh. C.P. 1987. Preparation of High GradIJ Com(><,stby anEnrichment Teclmique. I. Effect of Enrichmenl on Organic MatIJrDecomposilion. Biological Agriculture and Horticullure 1987. vol5 PI' 41-49

Smith. G.E. 1942. SanboOl Field: Fifty Yenrs ofField Experimentswith Crop Rotations. Manures and Fenilizers. Universily ofMissouri Bulletin #458. Columbia, MO

SSSA# 19. 1987. Soil FCI1i1ilyand Organic MaUer as CriticalCom(><ments of Production Systems. Soil Seience Society ofAmerica. Inc. Madislm. WI

Veen. A. van and Kuikman. P.J. 1990. Soil structural aspects ofdecorh(><,sitionof organic mailer by micro.organisms. Biogeochem-istry. Dee. 1990. vII (3): 213-233

Villec. C.A. 1962. Biology. W. B. Saunders Company. Philadel-phia. PA '

Visser. S. and Parkinson. D. 1992. soil biological crileria asindicators of soil quality: Soil micmorganisms. American JOUOlIIIof Altemulive Ag,.;culture v7 #1 and 2. 19<)2PI' .13-37. Instilule for

C "cOM-POSTING&PRESERVINGOM-~

~7Alternative Agriculture. Greenbelt. MD-

Wllllilce. A.. Wall lice. a.A. IIlIdJ"ng, W.e. (l)9(). SoilOrglinkMaUer and the Global Carbon Cycle. Joumlll of Planl NUlrilion1990vl3 (3/4): 459-456

Waksman. S.A. 1936. Humus. Williams and Wilkins. Inc. Balti.more. MD

Waksman. S.A. and Woodruff. H.B.. TIle occurrence of baclerio-

'stalic and baclerieidul subslances in Ihesoil. Soil Science v5.11'1'223.239.

White. W.C. and Collins. D_N- lI?dil"'''\ II/R? '0... I> ab....

Op..6~N \c.

l136- EDAPHOS

Sources:

AAFCO, 1990, Official Publication 1990. Association of AmcricmlFeed Control Officials. Atlanta, GA

AAPFCO, 1990,Offidal Publication #43. Associatiun of AmericanPlant Food ControlOfficials.West Lafayellc,IN

Albrecht, W.A. 1938, Loss of Organic mailer Md its restoralion.U.S. Dcpt. of Agriculture YClII'book1')38, pp347-376

Bear, F.E. 1924, Soils and FCt1i1izcrs. Juhn Wiley and Sons, Inc.New York, NY

Brady, N.C. 1974, The Nature and Properties of soils. MacMillanPublishing Co. Inc. New York, NY

BuchMI\I1, M. and S.R. Gliessml\l1 1991, How Compost Fertiliza-lion Affects Soil Nitrogen and Crop Yield. Biocyclc, Dec. 1<}91.J.G. Press Emmaus, PA

Chu, P. 1993, Personal communication. A&L Eastcl11AgriculturalLabratories. Richmond, VA

Lucas, R.E. and Vilosh, M.L. 1<}78,Soil OrgMicMallCT Dynamics.Michigl\l1 Slate Univ. Research Report 32.91, Nov 1<}78. EastLoosing, MI

Nosko, B.S. 1987, Change in thc Humus for a Typical Chel11uzemcaused by fertilization. Soviet Soil Science, 1987 v19 Juiy/Auguslp67-74

Novak, B. 1<}84,TIle Role of Soil Organisms in Humus Synthesisund Dccomposition. Soil Biulogy and CO/lSel'vatiun of the Biu.sphcre. pp 319-332

NRAES, 1992, On Farm Composting Handbook. Northeast Re.gional Engineering Se,'Vice#54, Cooperativc ExtCtlsion. IIhica, NY

Parnes, R. Fertile Soil: A groWCt':; Guide to Organic & InorganicFertilizcrs. Ag Access, Davis, CA

Isenn, T.L. 1987, Seaweed and Planl Growth. No publisher noted.Department of Horticulture, Clemson University. Clemson, SC

Silkina, N.P. 1987, EffL'Ctsof High Nilrogcn Fel1ilizer Cuncenlra-tions on TransforlYlation of Soil Organic Maller. University ufMoscow Soil Sciencc Bulletin 1987, v42 (4): 41.46.

Singh, C.P, 1987, Preparalion of High Grade Composl by anEnrichment Technique.!. Effect of Enrichment un Organic MalerDecomposition. Biological Agriculture and Horticulturc 1987, vol5 pp 41.49

Smith, G.E. 1<)42,Sallbol1l Field: Fifly Years ufField Experimenlswilh Crop Rolations, Munures und Fertilize,,:;. Ullivel,:;i!y ofMissouri Bullelin #458. Columbia, MO

SSSA# 19. 1987, Soil Fcrtility und Orgunic Maller us CriticulComponents of Production Systems. Soil Sciencc Society ofAmerica, Inc. Mudison. WI

Villee. C.A. 1962, Biology. W. B. Suunders Cumpuny. Philudel.phia, PA

Wallace, A., Wullucc, G.A. und Jung. W.C. 1<}90, Soil OrganicMaller und Ihc Globul Curbon Cyclc. Joumul of Ph.llt Nutrilioll1<}90v 13 (3/4): 459.45/\

Wukslllan, S.A. 1936, Humus. William~ and Wilkins, Illc. Balti-morc, MD

Whitc, W.C. alld Collins, D.N. (Edi"'rs) J<}H2,TIlc FCl1ilizcrHandbook. TIlc FC'1ilizcr Instilutc. Washinglon. DC